Combined nut and bolt lock



A. D. GASTON.

COMBINED NUT AND BOLT LOCK.

' APPLICATION FILED sznzs. 1918.

1,391,378, Patented Sept. 20,1921.

'lmbbmeoor I V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALANSON D. GASTON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

COMBINED NUT- AND BOLT LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ed Sept. 20, 1921.

Application filed September 26, 1918. Serial'No. 255,840.

To all whom it may concern:

tion, reference being had therein to the 'accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in combined nut and bolt locksand is embodied in the construction shown in the accompanyin drawingsand hereinafter described.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple device which willperform the duty of both a bolt and nut lock; one that can be cheaplymanufactured and which will serve well the purposes intended.

A convenient embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, to-

. gether with a modification thereof involving the principles, but it isto be understood that still further modifications of the structure canbe made within the scope of the claims without departing from the natureand principle of the invention. Figure 1 is a side elevation of the boltnut and an applied lock-washer, parts being positioned for setting up.

Fig.2 is a similar view, showing a smaller sized nut, with the parts setup, members being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 with the parts set up as suggestedin Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lock-washer. Fig. 5 is a section. Fig. 6 isa detail section showing the ar-' rangement depicted in Fig. 3 with theparts separated,

Fig. 7 is a modified form showing a slightly different type of engagingtooth on the outer portion of the washer,

' Fig. 8 is -a modified form of look.

In the art of nut and bolt looks, it has hereto-fore been suggested toemploy what is nowcommonly known as a split washer, having one terminal.ofiset in one direction and the adjacent terminal offset in the oppositedirection. Such devices have been found quite satisfactory but arelimited to a single resisting contact point. It has also been suggestedto employ a concave-convex washer arranged so that when compressed theedges surrounding the bolt will grip the bolt. Such devices are employedfor bolt lockin and possess features rendering them somewhatobjectionable. My invention is designed to provide a combined bolt andnut lock which can be economically manufactured and which will serve itspurpose well both in maintaining the bolt against turning and also thenut.

In the drawings,A and A represent the parts to be united, and part A maybe consldered as an ordinary fish plate.

B designates a bolt of conventional type, and C the nut preferablyof'hexagonal form. D designates the improved lock washer which isconstructed in the form of a concave-convex disk of spring steel havinga series of radial slots (1 spaced conveniently and equi-distance apart.point substantially midway of the width of the disk and the metalbetween the slots is of dove-tail shape and represents the lockingportion. Each portion of the disk between the slots d are shaped so thatone edge is deflected in one direction while the opposing edge is bentin the opposite direction and form biting edges d, (1 There areconveniently four or six engaging or looking The slots extendconveniently to a' portions, each of which is provided with the bitingedges or end parts which are deflected as stated, in oppositedirections.

The inner edge of the disk is fashioned to correspond with the ,pitch ofthe thread of the bolt and is inclined or beveled as at E to fit thevalley between the threads of the bolt, and can be made so as to passover the threads of the bolt, especially for wood, and the lower pointsshould be of sufiicient sharpness to seat in the wood andpreventdragging the washer on first applying the nut. For this use the washercan be made larger if desired, (Fig. 7). The part of the plate whichborders the central opening therein is slotted radially by slots 6 whichextend outwardly to a point approximate the center of the width of thedisk. These slots a conveniently project approximately to a point inline or on the plane of the inner ends of the outer slots 0?. lVhen thewasher is in its normal condition the central opening therein has adiameter slightly greater than the diameter of the bolt from the base ofthe valley of the threads thereof, as shown in Fig. 6.

The diameter of the lock-washer is conveniently less than the diameterof the nut,

the nut is forced down the biting edges of the parts 4, (P- will engagethe inner surface of the nut. In assembling the parts, the lock-washeris turnedonto the bolt or put on over the bolt, until thegconvex surfacethereof engages the plate A N, The nut is then turned onto the bolt andforcedhome until the washer is compressed substantially to a fiatcondition. This action tends to contract the center opening of thewasher and to cause thethreaded edge thereof to tightly grip the boltbetween the threads, as shown in Fig. 3. This act of tightening the nutalso causes the biting edges of the holding parts of the washer toengage the inner face of the nut and the outer face of the plate. Inthis condition, the nut is held a ainst backward movement owing to thebiting teeth of the washer engaging the same, while the washer is heldagainst movement' by engagin the plate A at the same time the bolt is camped or held against independent movement. By radially slotting thedisk, as stated, the requisite spring action is obtained for both theinside and the outside portions of the look-washer and an effectivegripping action is thereby secured for the biting or projecting ends ofthe outer portions of the washer. A positive clamping action is alsoprovided, the metal yielding readily to the action of the nut owing ,tothe relative positions of the slots inthe lock-washer.

Should it be desired to use the construction with a nut slightly smallerin diameter than that of the washer, as shown in Fig.

2, the projecting parts d will engage the angles of the nut and willhold it against moving backward, the other parts acting as in the formerdescribed construction.

In Fig. 7 is shown a slightly modified form wherein the tooth or bitingpart d of the washer D is rounded and projected outwardly a distancegreater than that of the other form. This is desirable Iwhen the washeris to be used against a wooden base or member, as the same willpenetrate the wood more readily.

It will be observed that when the parts are in place, because of theconcavo-convex shape of the washer and the resilient character thereof,a constant sprin' pressure is maintained on the nut, even a ter the sameis set. This of course increases the binding characteristics of the lockwith respect to the nut and base associated therewith.

While I have illustrated the lock member or washer as taking a circularoutline, it is to be borne in mind that other configurations may beresorted to and still be within the spirit of the invention. Toillustrate, the washer may be provided with a square, hexagonal or othershape whereby to receive a wrench or other tool in the application 01'removal of-the same. This is well' illus Having thus described theinvention,what

is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A combined nut' and bolt lock comprising a concavo-convex' diskhavlng a series of radial slots entering from'the outer edge thereof anda series of radial slots entering from the inner edge thereof, saidinner edge being formed to enter the threaded portion of a bolt, theedges of the disk at the outer slots being bent in opposite directions,for purposes specified.

2. A combined nut and bolt lock comprising a concavo-convex disk havinga central bore with the inner edge thereof threaded to fit the thread ofthe bolt but normally of greater diameter, a series of radial slotsentering from said edge, and a series of slots entering from the outeredge of the disk, the metal at the endsof the portion betweenthe outerslots being bent in opposite directions.

3. The combination with a bolt, a plate through which the same passes, anut on the bolt and an interposed bolt and nut lock consisting of aconcavo-convex disk having bore having an edge formed to fit between thethreads of the bolt, and a series of radial slots extending from saidedge intothe metal of the washer intermediate the said other s ots. Y

4. A combined bolt and nut washer consisting of a spring metalconcavo-convex disk having a'central threaded bore with a series ofslots radiating therefrom to a point approximating the center of thewidth of the disk, the edges of each slotted portion being inapproximately the same plane, and a series of slots entering from theouter edge of the disk inwardly at points intermediate said other slots,the ends of the metal between the slots and the outer portion of thedisk being bent outwardly in opposite directions to form biting teeth,substantially'as ing a concavo-con-vex disk having a series of radialslots projecting from the outer edge thereof inwardly, and one or moreradial slots arranged in alternate relation with respect to the firstmentioned slots projecting outwardly from the inner edge thereof, theedges of the disk at the outer slots projecting in opposite directionssubstantially as and for the purpose described.

7. A combined nut and bolt lock comprising a disk having a centralopening to engage over the bolt, and the wall surrounding 'said openingbeing shaped to enter the threaded portion of the bolt, said disk havinga series of radial slots entering from the outer edge thereof, and aseries of radial slots entering from the inner edge thereof,'

the edges of the material at the outer slots being bent in oppositedirections, and the disk being constructed whereby to exert constantspring pressure on the nut.

8. A combined nut and bolt lock comprising a conical shaped disk havinga central opening to engage over the bolt with the edge of the wallsurrounding said opening formed to enter the threaded portion of thesignature. 1

bolt, said disk being slotted at its outer edge to form a plurality ofdove-tail shaped Sections and bent whereby opposite edges of saidsections are disposed at opposite directions, and said disk also havingradial slots at its inner edge.

9. A nut lock formed of a concavo-convex member having a series of slotsentering from the outer edge, and a series of slots entering from theinner edge, the metal at the outer edge between the slots being normallyoffset whereby to form a tooth or engaging part.

10. A combined nutand bolt lock comprising a concavo-convex disk'havinga central bore of sufficient size to slip over the threaded portion of abolt, the inner edge of the disk being shaped to fit the threads of thebolt when in locking position, said disk having a series of radial slotsentering from the inner edge and a series of slots entering from theouter edge thereof and arranged in alternate relation with regard to thefirst mentioned slots, and the metal at the ends of the portions betweenthe outer slotsbeing offset in opposite directions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my ALANSON D. GASTON.

